Xposed

Streaming LIVE in a few hours. .. look out for some real exclusive footage via Mirrakulus@Ustream.TV

I may be a little late, for those who don’t know. .. Missy Elliott is no longer under construction. Lately, the singer-songwriter has been making headlines about her diagnosis with Graves disease and her return to the limelight.

The disease is an incurable disorder caused by an overactive thyroid and results in hair loss, eye bulging, mood swings and muscle tremors. Elliott will discuss the disorder and other subjects during an episode of VH1’s Behind the Music later tonight.

It’s been rumored that she’ll make an appearance somewhere in Miami tonight, possibly after the show which airs at 10. And although Elliott has remained low-key, she’s worked on several projects over the last few years.

I grew up vibing to Missy.. so if she comes anywhere within my parameters, you’ll know.

Also, look out for some of my live chats and exclusive footage of My Life: as an intern with NLPGimages.

I’m learning photography to enhance my skills as a journalist.

Recently, a friend asked my opinion about the internship with NLPGimages. I thought you might want to know how I feel about all this, sooo . ..

The internship is intense.

The employees at the company do not sleep, I’ve caught the boss “resting his eyes” maybe twice. NLPG’s core consists of seven people but functions like clock work. It’s really everywhere most people aren’t.

Most nights, I take photos at various venues for photography practice. During the day, if I’m not shooting an event, I’m still learning photography. Whether it’s learning to enhance photos or trying lighting techniques, there’s always something to do!

The best part about the internship is the experience. In the midst of learning concepts, I’ve had the opportunity to meet great people and attend cool events.

It’s a challenge to keep up, but I’m a work in progress.

—-stay tuned, this camera is still rolling

During a quick chat with the NFL and reality show star, he politely declined to smile on camera. Maybe Terrell wanted to stay low-key and enjoy the night without media hype, I’m not sure. Either way, he seems cool and even cracked a smile for me;)

T.O., you’ve earned some of my cool points!

Just finished shooting the sold out Raheem DeVaughn concert at the Carter Barron Amphitheater, in Washington, D.C. Raheem is a great performer, and apparently has a close relationship with fans.

He walked through a crowd of 3,000+ several times, singing to some and grinding on others. But nothing or no one comes between Raheem’s mother’s view at his concert. During the show, Raheem relocated a fan during what appeared to be a dispute between she and his mother. The show continued, and he sang several songs including “Customer”. Fans appreciated his energy and I enjoyed videoing him from a corner, on stage. (someone said he nearly tripped from glaring at me too long during a number, haHaa I can’t say. .. I was just doing my job, I was focused)

People continue teasing me about looking like. .. Chilli, that’s not cool. I’m bummed, and it’s been a long day. Good night!

Check back for pix.

NLPGimages is everywhere!

By LaTiesha Rivera

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Usually birthday celebrations last a day or maybe two. When DJ Demp extended his birthday celebration to a week, he just wanted to bring his crew together. Demp had no idea his birthday festivities would become an annual event attracting politicians, NFL players, students and various recording artists over the last 14 years.

“I’m just an average dude, so to get that much love and have people come out of town and celebrate with me, is unique itself,” he said.According to Tracey, Demp’s younger sister, his career had already taken off by the time he reached high school.

Growing up, he mixed audio tapes in his room and worked as a DJ at parties and at night clubs. Tracey said her brother often played loud music and inherited his passion from their father. If Demp wasn’t making tapes, “he was just blasting the stereo,” she said.

As Demp’s popularity grew so has his birthday celebration.Demp’s massive birthday celebration began in 1997; when he hosted a party at a Tallahassee night club, and held several parties during his birthday week. After that he said, “I pretty much had the clubs locked down for the week.” Friends coined Demp’s weeklong celebration as “Demp Week.”

At the time, his celebration was an unplanned event. “It’s not like I just woke up and said, I’m going to celebrate my birthday for a week,” Demp said. Over more than a decade, Demp’s celebration has evolved into a nationwide event. And dozens of his celebrity friends travel from all over the country to participate. Rappers Rick Ross, David Banner, actress Lisa Raye and dozens more have attended.

Demp celebrates with the entire Tallahassee community and invites everyone to attend. Throughout the years, the event has had a positive impact on Tallahassee’s economic development because it attracts large crowds. In January, during a private tour of the State Capitol, Rep. Alan Williams said he hopes Demp encourages the young generation to participate in politics and visit the Capitol. Williams said Demp has a better chance than he does of getting young people’s attention because they see him as a role model.  

 “If Miley Cyrus told them to come, they would come,” Williams said. “Or if Jay Z told them to come or Demp, they would, so we need to use that voice in a proactive measure.”

Demp’s sister, Tracey, said the celebration has become a reflection of his humble personality. She and Demp’s friends agree that the seven-day event has become bigger than Demp himself; leading others wondering why he chooses to celebrate his birthday with strangers instead of having an intimate party with close friends and family.

But for the DJ, the celebration is about giving back to the community. “Demp Week is from the heart,” he said.Although he could celebrate his birthday in fashion at a fraction of the cost, he chooses to celebrate in Tallahassee.

“I like to play my part and donate because I feel like I’ve been blessed over the years and that’s just the way my heart is,” Demp said.

Demp has also participated in United Way and AIDs awareness drives. The cost of the weeklong celebration might total several thousand, if not millions of dollars, if hosted by someone else. Demp covers the events’ costs, out of his pocket. And the average admission for the public is more than a bargain.

In January, Demp hosted one of his most successful birthday celebrations and had appearances by more than 20 celebrities including rappers, Juvenile, Trina, Yo Gotti and Twista.

“It’s a beautiful thing to come back, support and give back,” Trina said.

The bash involved various activities and community service projects. These included voter registration and a charity basketball game at FAMU. Demp along with Florida Rep. Alan Williams suited up with rappers Ace Hood, Tom. G. and others to compete in the game that donated $1,000 to Big Brothers Big Sisters. Friends and recording artists Young Joc, Shawty Lo and Triple C’s and others all performed on stage in a single night for Demp’s celebration, a sight people only witness at BET or MTV awards shows.Demp and his staff hope to encourage others to support the cause and contribute to the community.

“It’s really about coming together,” his sister, Tracey said.

It’s been a few days since my last post. Anyway, since then I kicked it with R&B legend, Johnny Gill a second time. Before his performance of “My my my,” I had the pleasure of joking with him backstage. As he sat next to me wearing an all-white custom leather fit, I was careful not to have one of my typical blonde moments and stamp him with the bottom of a heel. That would have added an unforgettable trademark to his clean cut .

Between conversations, as he posed for pictures and chatted with hysterical fans, I noticed a couple things. Gill was always approachable and even decades since hitting the industry, his fan base is still kickin!

One woman nearly approached him in tears as she reflected on high school days when she was excited about Gill being an addition to New Edition. (That’s when I pinched myself to make sure I was really living in the moment)

The highlight of the night came during his performance. He invited the saxophonist to join him on stage and My my my, what a performance! The performance was so entertaining, women were in a craze. Anticipating his touch, dressed in a red dress and high heels, one nearly had an orgasm just from holding Gill’s hand as he sang to her.

It was awesome.

Its taken a few days to recover from my first Memorial weekend in Miami. I’ll catch you up soon. Until then, today I kicked it with the legendary Johnny Gill in the Hot 105FM studio with Freddie Cruz! Yes, the Johnny of R&B groups LSG and New Edition. I also had the pleasure of meeting Marvin McIntyre, the ambassador of artist development.

Pictures coming soon!